Jamestown  (CSi)  The Jamestown Tourism Grant/Executive Board met virtually, Thursday morning.

GRANT BOARD MEETING

In attendance: Tourism Director, Searle Swedlund

Board Members: President Tena Lawrence, Taylor Barnes, Paulette Ritter, and Pam Phillips.

Also in attendance: Emily Bivens, Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce, and  Corry Shevlin from JSDC, and Civic Center, Manager Pam Fosse.

The Jamestown Arts Center/Park – Chalkfest request for funding was made by Director, Mindi Schmitz.

The Jamestown Arts Center, along with the Jamestown Downtown Association is bringing a nationally known chalk artist, for the two and a half day event, June 24-26, 2021.  Shawn McCann is the artist coordinating the eight artists in attendance.  Also to entertain, will be Jesse Vedder.

The request is for $10,000.  Total expenses are put at $12,500, including Artist Transportation and Lodging $8,000, Marketing $2,000, Supplies $500, Food and Lodging $2,000.

Total advertising expenses at $1,954.

Income is listed as:  $1,500 from the Main Street Initiative Grant, In-Kind Food $500, In-Kind Lodging $500,  (Jamestown Tourism $10,000).

Also partnering is the Anne Carlsen Center, and Ave Maria Village.

The Tourism Grant Board, granted, the full amount requested of 10,000, and to engage the downtown community in the event.

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING:

Declaration of Conflict of Interest.  None.

The Grant Allocation Report was given by Searle Swedlund who said the full report will be given at the full board meeting, which is also comprised of these board members.

 

Tourism Report – Searle Swedlund outlined funding requests successes, and bringing external dollars from outside the community into the mix.  He added that he’s been in touch with city officials on the future of Frontier Village, including a playground concept development.  With the planned Buffalo City Park he said progress is being made, with the facility looking good for coming to fruition, with optimism with funding from the State of North Dakota.

 

Ex-Officio Reports:

The Chamber’s Emily Bivens said the scholarship applications are now open in conjunction with the University of Jamestown.  Vendors are encouraged to sign up for the April 10 & 11 Home & Garden Show.  She added a virtual legislators Meet & Greet is planned for March 1, 2021, at 7-p.m., with Chamber members to be notified about access and how to ask questions during the event.  She added the Chamber will bring back the “CASH MOB,” promotion later this year.

Civic Center, Manager, Pam Fosse said the Civic Center, is hosting COVID-19 Vaccinations, and testing in cooperation with Central Valley Health District, scheduling around other events and activities.

JSDC’s Corry Shevlin said the 2021 FlexPace program is fully funded.  With Airport Park, he said progress is being made with new developments.  An update was given on the progress of  the  Greenhouse business, at SEPA Park.  He added that JSDC is working with UJ for an internship program.

 

NEW BUSINESS

The Board approved a Payroll Protection Plan borrowing authority.

The Board Authorized Frank Balak, Tena Lawrence, and Searle Swedlund for signature authority for the application to Payroll Protection Program forgivable loan.

In other business:

Report Credit Card Cash Back was updated by Searle Swedlund.

 

With the Report on the County Mill Levy Expenditures for Tourism Entities, Searle explained each entity tourism has reimbursed and dollars they have received from the county.

 

City Promotional Capital Construction Fund process for March, Searle said applications are reviewed based in part on the visitor experience. He added there remains dollars in the fund, and he expects, a significant amount of funding to be provided, in this round.